Since the early days of psychology as a science, people have employed a variety of methods and approaches to research. One of the methods that has gained the most popularity and proven itself from a practical standpoint is the psychological experiment.
A psychological experiment is a specific experience conducted under special conditions with the aim of obtaining psychological data by modeling certain situations. AdmiGram.com tells about the most scandalous psychological experiments that will open your eyes to why something is wrong with our world.
The most scandalous psychological experiments on humans
Asch Conformity Experiments, 1951
In the experiment, participants were asked to memorize the length of a line on the first card ‘A’ and compare it to other lines on card ‘B’. The participant was placed in a group with seven actors who intentionally gave the wrong answer, such as stating that all the lines on card ‘B’ were of the same length. The participant’s answer was solicited only after all 7 actors voiced their intentionally incorrect opinion.
As a result, the overwhelming majority of participants succumbed to the social influence of the group and agreed with the incorrect opinion expressed by the other group members, even if they understood that the opinion was wrong.
The experiments showed that people tend to conform to the majority opinion, even if it is incorrect. People heavily rely on the opinion of the group they are in. Even if it contradicts common sense or our beliefs, it doesn’t mean that we can resist it. As long as there is even a minimal threat of condemnation from others, it is much easier for us to silence our inner voice than to defend our position to others.
The Good Samaritan Experiment, 1973
This experiment aimed to study the effect of time pressure. During the experiment, participants were divided into 2 groups. One group was tasked with giving a speech on the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan,’ while the other group gave a lecture on a non-religious topic. After preparing their material, participants were required to quickly make their way to the lecture hall.
On the path of each participant, there was an actor portraying a sick person in need of help. Ultimately, even if participants had just prepared a lecture on the importance of helping others in difficult situations, they all equally ignored the ‘sick person,’ just like participants from the second group.
The experiments showed that we can easily disregard religion or any other ethical beliefs when they conflict with our interests. People tend to justify their indifference with phrases like ‘it doesn’t concern me,’ ‘I won’t be able to help anyway,’ or ‘they’ll manage without me.’ This often occurs not during disasters or crises but in everyday life.
The Bystander Effect, 1968
Another psychological experiment that demonstrates our tendency to pass responsibility onto others. Participants were invited to take part in a discussion conducted remotely using intercom devices. During the conversation, an actor simulated an epileptic seizure, which could be clearly identified by sounds coming from the speakers.
When the conversation was one-on-one, 85% of the participants reacted vividly to the incident and tried to help the ‘victim.’ However, in situations where participants believed that four other people were also involved in the conversation, only 31% had the strength to attempt to help the ‘victim’ in any way. Everyone thought that someone else should take care of it.
The experiments showed that if you think that a large number of people around you ensures your safety, this is not the case at all. The crowd can be indifferent to someone else’s misfortune, especially when people from marginalized groups find themselves in a difficult situation. As long as there is someone else nearby, we are happy to pass responsibility onto them for what is happening, and we are not concerned about other people’s problems at all.
The Stanford Prison Experiment, 1971
This horrifying experiment even served as the basis for several sensationalized adaptations, depicting our inclination towards cruelty and injustice when impunity for your actions is guaranteed. During the experiment, participants were divided into two groups: ‘guards’ and ‘prisoners.’ However, the experiment spiraled out of control, becoming more brutal and destructive than anticipated.
The ‘guards’ began displaying unwarranted violence and cruelty towards the ‘prisoners,’ who, in turn, were subjected to psychological stress and oppression. The experiment was terminated after just six days due to its harmful effects on the participants.
The experiments demonstrated that people quickly adopt the social roles imposed on them and become so enthralled with their own power that the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior towards others is rapidly blurred. Especially when everything is permitted, and there is no punishment for your immoral actions. Higher education, good performance, and strong moral principles did not prevent the participants from resorting to violence against those over whom they held power.
The Milgram Experiment, 1961
This experiment sparked significant debate about how people obey authority, even when it contradicts their own moral beliefs. In the experiment, participants were asked to act as ‘teachers’ and administer punishments to ‘learners’ for incorrect answers. In reality, the ‘learner’ was an actor, unbeknownst to the ‘teacher.’
Despite the obvious pleas from the ‘learner’ to stop the punishment due to severe pain (also simulated by the actor), the ‘teacher-participant’ was influenced by the authority of the experimenter, who instructed them to continue the experiment.
The experiments showed that the vast majority of participants were willing to continue the ‘dangerous’ experiment solely because there was a person in a white coat nearby instructing them to do so. Most people astonishingly comply with authorities, even if it leads to destructive or tragic consequences.
